In the event of a school emergency, every second matters. Proactive preparation is crucial, and being equipped with life-saving materials that make safety simple – even under stressful conditions – is invaluable.
An Emergency Trauma Bleed Control Kit is one such essential tool.
In the content below, we’ll discuss:
- the contents of an emergency bleed control kit,
- the life-saving benefits of having a kit nearby,
- the situations that call for the use of an emergency kit, and
- highly-recommended control kits available on the market today.
What Should an Emergency Trauma Bleed Control Kit Contain?
Emergency bleed control kits contain a few essential elements. Complex kits may contain chest seals to treat wounds or hemostatic bandages to expedite blood clotting in severe bleeding cases. However, your bleed control kit should contain the following items, at least:
#1. Sterile Bandages (Emergency Trauma Dressing)
Sterile bandages are essential to hold wound dressing in place without the possibility of infection or contamination.
#2. Gauze
Gauze is used for dressing wounds, often made of cotton to prevent adhesion to the wound.
#3. Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves prevent infection or contamination, resistant to most infectious agents.
#4. Shears
Trauma shears are utilized in emergency situations to quickly cut clothing from the victim.
#5. Survival Blanket
Emergency blankets, or space blankets, are a critical first aid tool with numerous uses, from protection against adverse elements to a temporary splint.
#6. A Tourniquet
One of the most important components of an emergency bleed control kit, tourniquets slow blood flow and prevent shock on arm and leg injuries.
Because this tool is so important, take the time to learn about the tourniquet in your bleed control kit.
What should you look for in a tourniquet?
- Durability – the ideal tourniquet is durable yet lightweight
- Application Strap – search for a tourniquet with a broad application strap (at least 1.5”), providing a wider arterial compression area
- Mounting – some tourniquets include straps that allow the tourniquet to be mounted to equipment
- Retention Clip – retention clips allow for faster one-handed application, locking the windlass in place after the tourniquet has been applied
- Windlass – look for a windlass at least 5.5”; the increase in length help secure the windlass into the clip and tri-ring
- Quick-Compression Buckle – a quick-compression buckle is useful in one-handed applications, allowing for faster application times and overall easier use of the tourniquet
For example, consider the SOF Tourniquet Gen 4:
A high-quality, trustworthy tourniquet is a critical component in a bleed control kit. The SOF Tourniquet Gen 4 is rugged and durable, approved by the Department of Defense and recommended by the committee on tactical combat casualty care. Additionally, the SOF Gen 4 has been named tourniquet of choice by the American Red Cross.
Important specifications of the SOF Tourniquet Gen 4:
- The tourniquet is both durable and lightweight, comprised of high-strength alloy components
- The Gen 4 application strap is 1.5”
- The tourniquet includes 2 UV-resistant black rubber bands to allow for mounting to equipment
- The Gen 4 has a retention clip to lock a 5.5” windlass in place
- The tourniquet’s quick-compression buckle allows for easier, faster use
What Are the Benefits of Keeping an Emergency Trauma Bleed Control Kit Nearby?
In an emergency situation, being prepared can be the difference between life and death. Although we never like to consider the worst-case scenario, the benefits of proactively planning ahead and keeping an emergency bleed control kit for your classrooms is vital.
Emergency bleed kits provide life-saving equipment in the event of a violent event, like a school shooting, or accidental incidents. In the minutes it takes for paramedics to arrive on the scene, a staff member, student, or teacher could utilize the kit to prevent extensive blood loss – or even save a life.
In an interview about the importance of bleeding control kits in school settings, Brent Bronson, VP of Public Safety Programs at North American Rescue, says:
The goal is to have the appropriate equipment readily available for the general public to take immediate action, because if someone, for example, severs a femoral artery – which is the major artery in the leg – they can bleed out in as little as three minutes. That’s significantly faster than the amount of time it will typically take for paramedics to arrive.
What Situations Call for an Emergency Trauma Kit?
As briefly mentioned, emergency bleeding kits are essential for major tragedies and more common emergencies, such as vehicle accidents or classroom calamities.
The kits are designed to provide needed equipment for a range of emergency situations involving life-threatening bleeding, empowering teachers and staff to be prepared in any unexpected event.
Highly-Recommended Trauma Bleed Control Kits
C.A.T Bleeding Control Kit
The C.A.T Bleeding Control Kit is designed with intuitive, easy-to-use equipment to stop life-threatening bleeding. The kit contains the bleed control essentials, including a tourniquet, emergency trauma dressing, gauze, nitrile gloves, shears, and a survival blanket.
The C.A.T Bleeding Control Kit also includes a step-by-step “Just in Time” illustrated instruction card, allowing untrained providers to effectively use the contents of the kit to help save a life.
School Safety Solution
At School Safety Solution, we have a vested interest in keeping schools as safe as possible by providing reliable, high-quality, and life-saving equipment. We understand that a minute can change everything. Our solutions are proactive in nature and simple-to-use in the event of a disaster.
To learn more about how our solutions, give our team a call at 888.733.0406. We look forward to speaking with you!
